Inbox: Convention Center Hotel

Metro consultant Tom Hazinski told a City Club audience
during a debate Sept. 6 that Portland is different from other cities.
“There’s a sense of vibrancy and place other cities have a hard time
manufacturing,” Hazinski said. [“Heartbreak Hotel,” WW, Sept. 18, 2013.]

Exactly what is this
“vibrancy” we keep hearing about? Portland has it, and has enough of it
to lure conventioneers away from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco,
Vancouver, B.C., Phoenix? Sure we do.

The $17 million that
the Nines stiffed the city for is going to look like chicken feed when
the dust finally settles on this boondoggle.

I can’t believe
Portland voters are such suckers and continue to elect the same
irresponsible morons over and over again. Pitiful.

I don’t have a
problem with hotels and conventions and tourism. I welcome all of that.
But I don’t want one thin dime of my taxes going to subsidize it. I
think most people in this town agree with me.

Funny, I doubt this was her attitude when she was seeking votes for election. What a typical hypocritical politician.

—“Jeff Johnson”

It’s nice how Fritz decided, pretty much immediately after
getting elected, that without the threat of a re-election, she’ll just
do whatever the heck she wants for the next four years.

—“David Johnson”

COP WHO TALKED TO JURORS

Two possibilities here: Detective Jason Lobaugh either
ignored the absolute prohibition against contact between witnesses and
jurors, or didn’t know about it [“Tamper Tantrum,” WW, Sept. 18, 2013].

For a 22-year veteran of the force, both are inexcusable. He should be fired.

—“Dean”

If any regular citizen were to pull this stuff, they’d be
facing jail time and court fines, unquestionably. However, a cop does
the same and he gets a stern warning from the judge.

—“Damos Abadon”

CONFLICT FOR BLUMENAUER?

Thanks for the public service of the week [“Muddy Waters,” WW,
Sept. 18, 2013]. The PDX Superfund cleanup is one of the most important
environmental activities in our state, and this article is a real
eye-opener for voters to learn that our supposed environmental hero has
PCB-laced feet of clay and a major conflict of interest.

U.S. Rep. Earl
Blumenauer (D-Ore.) needs to know how this appears to his constituents
and that it is not ethically acceptable behavior in an elected official.

—“SE Smith”

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